Browsing by Author "Mchunu, Gugu Gladness."

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Client satisfaction with primary health care (PHC) services in Lilongwe health district, Malawi.
(2004) Nyondo, Linda Alinane Alinafe.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
The aim of this study was to describe the clients' satisfaction with Primary Health Care (PHC) Services in Lilongwe Health District with regard to client involvement in health care delivery and the accessibility of PHC services. It was hoped that the information generated would be used in the evaluation of PHC Services in Lilongwe. A quantitative and qualitative research was done using an outcome analysis evaluation design. The study utilised Kawale and Chiwamba Health Centres and their catchment population. Systematic random sampling was used for the clients making use of the health centres, convenience sampling for those not using the health centres and purposive sampling for the focus group participants. Quantitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using an interview guide in focus group sessions. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and percentages and frequencies were calculated while qualitative data was analysed through a template style of analysis. The findings of the study revealed that in both Health Centres Clients were satisfied with some aspects of PHC such as, cultural accessibility, health education and listening abilities of health workers but there was still some evidence of dissatisfaction, and misunderstanding of the concept of Community Involvement in Health care delivery. This calls for a need to reorient communities on PHC delivery and what it means.
Clients' perceptions of therapeutic interaction with nurses at Escoval House Community Psychiatric Clinic in Durban.
(2003) Bvumbwe, Thokozani Macksham.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
The objective of this study was to explore clients' perceptions and expectations of therapeutic interaction with nurses at Escoval House Community Psychiatric Clinic in Durban. Following the shift of psychiatric care from institutionalised care to community based psychiatric care, it was anticipated that the findings of the study would help to sensitise the primary health care nurses and community psychiatric nurses on how clients perceive the way nurses interact with them. This would help the nurses to ensure satisfactory interactions that would be therapeutic and enhances clients' recovery and well -being. The study utilized Human Relations Counselling Model in exploring the clients' perceptions. An exploratory descriptive survey was used to conduct the study, The study combined both qualitative and quantitative methods for the purpose of triangulation. Ten participants were involved in a focus group and one-hundred and sixty clients participated by filling in questionnaires. Simple random sampling method was used to select participants for both the focus group interview and those who filled in the questionnaires. Data from the focus group was analysed manually using content analysis. Data was presented by participants' direct quotes. Data from the questionnaires was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). For the quantitative data analysis, frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data. Findings of the study were presented in tables and graphs. Although previous studies on clients' satisfaction have reported clients' satisfaction with mental health service delivery, the findings of this study have revealed that gaps still exist in quality of care delivered to these clients. Findings show that there were mixed perceptions on the way nurse interact with clients during clients' monthly attendances.
The development and implementation of policy guidelines for health promotion in the workplace.
(2007) Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.; Uys, Leana Ria.
The three phased study aimed to develop policy guidelines for workplace health promotion based on an exploration of the current status of health promotion in South African workplaces. In the first phase of the study a case study approach was used to analyse the current situation of health promotion in the workplace. For this phase of the study the particular aim was to determine to what extent the participating workplaces were involved in health promotion, or were salutogenic in nature. A total of 6 organizations participated in the first phase of the study, with a total of 258 participants. The second phase aimed at developing policy guidelines for health promotion in the workplace. The consensus method, using the Delphi technique, was used in this phase, involving seven participants who were experts in the field of occupational health and health promotion. The third phase was an observation of the implementation of the policy guidelines. Implementation analysis, which is part of evaluation research, was the methodology used. Two organizations from phase one participated in the implementation phase. In summarising the findings on the current situation of employee health promotion programs the study showed that none of the participating organizations emerged as health promoting workplaces. Organizations that offered employee health promotion/wellness programs mainly focused on individual health and on HIV/AIDS and none of them was found to provide comprehensive holistic programs that aimed at providing healthy work environments. In phase 2 of the study it emerged that there was a very strong concurrence between the findings from the experts and literature in terms of what needs to be included in health promotion policy guidelines. The key elements for health promotion policy documents were (1) organizational philosophy (2) stakeholder involvement and (3) the description of programs to be included in the policy. During the policy implementation process it emerged that different strategies were used in the policy development process. This process was largely influenced by such factors as organizational size, type and internal structures. Recommendations include an emphasis on more legislative support for health promotion in the workplace, and for more concrete aids such as policy guidelines and educational preparation of occupational health professionals for this component of their role.
An exploration of educators' experiences in implementing sexuality education as disease prevention and a health promotion strategy in selected eThekwini-based secondary schools.
(2013) Khathi, Busisiwe Khathazile Ruth.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.; Ncama, Busisiwe Purity.
Objective: This study sought to explores educators’ experiences whilst implementing sexuality education as disease prevention and a health promotion strategy in classes for learners in secondary Schools. The critical question posed by the study was how the educators were identified and selected to present this subject? What training did the educator(s) receive to offer the sexuality education/ LO programme? What content of sexuality do they cover in classes when teaching LO? How have the educators experienced teaching sexuality education/ LO so far? What are the educators’ views on DoE offering this program? What support do they receive and what barriers do they encounter? Methodology: This study adopted an exploratory qualitative approach to explore educators’ experiences in implementing sexuality education. The study was conducted at eThekwini-based Secondary schools. The purposive selection method was used. Six different schools from the Umgeni North Branch, North of Durban were selected. Educators’ experiences were examined through the use of in-depth face to face interviews. An interview schedule was used to guide the interview process. Findings: Altogether, seven Life Orientation (LO) educators were interviewed in this study. The study showed that there is continuous training and development of the LO educators which is done by the Department of Education (DoE) and through educators’ network. It was learned from the LO educators that there are four learning outcomes in Life Orientation teaching and that sexuality education is embedded in Health Promotion or Personal Wellbeing learning outcome. Some LO educators commented that not much emphasis is placed on sexuality education. The LO educators indicated the need for educators to be trained on short skills courses like HIV counselling and Rape victim management. Conclusion: The study highlights educator’s experiences when teaching sexuality education as embedded in the Life Orientation curriculum. Educators verbalized that having sexuality education embedded in another aspect of LO limits the information that is given as the educators are guided by the DoE guidelines. It also became evident that some educators experienced difficulties in dealing with the HIV positive learners and those that have been raped. This challenges the DoE to gradually train and update the educators on short courses like HIV counselling, dealing with rape and teenage pregnancies to improve LO educators’ confidence when faced with such situations in a classroom during LO education.
An exploration of nursing students’ experiences of a community-based health promotion and illness prevention programme in a selected school of nursing in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017) Uwitonze, Agathe.; Pakkies, Edith Ntefeleng.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
Background Health promotion constitutes a priority in the World Health Organization’s agenda of health for all (WHO, 2014b). Therefore, nursing students should be introduced to the principles of health, illness prevention and health promotion early in their course of training. They need to develop competencies required for their career as well as to improve the health and wellbeing of the community. Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore nursing students’ experiences of a community-based health promotion and illness prevention programme in a selected school of nursing in KwaZulu-Natal. Methodology A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research design is used to investigate the experience of seventy second-year nursing students in the Bachelor of Nursing programme at a selected school of nursing who were exposed to a community based health promotion and illness prevention programme. Data was collected through focus group discussions and content deductive analysis was used to analyse data. Findings The findings of the study are presented and discussed according to the four main themes that emerged during the data analysis: (1) community accessibility (2) safety in the community environment (3) learner support, and (4) skills development. Each of these themes have sub-themes that are presented and discussed, facilitating a full insight into the experiences of the participants in this programme. Conclusion Satisfying personal experience enhanced students’ clinical skills, especially in building the confidence and expertise required by health promotion and illness prevention programmes. Students’ participation in this programme developed capabilities such as: creativity; the identification of community health issues; the promotion of a greater sense of community responsibility; the ability to engage in group discussions; the envisaging of professional goals and the encouragement of a sense of connection with the community.
An exploration of school health nurses’ understanding and experiences of adolescent sexual and reproductive health programme in a selected health district in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2016) Khuzwayo, Patience Primrose.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
Introduction: Unprotected sexual activity has a negative effect to the reproductive health of adolescence, because they are physically immature and are at risk of unwanted pregnancy. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes form the backbone of school health package for school health nurses (SHNs) dealing with adolescent health. The SRH is vital in addressing sexually transmitted infections, unplanned teenage pregnancies and abortions being experienced by adolescents globally. However in South Africa, there is a high prevalence of Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) in adolescents aged between 15 and 24 years. While globally unsafe abortions accounts for the main cause for adolescents’ mortality. The SHNs are the most suitable health professionals to promote students sexual health in the school settings. The SHNs should have skills that will facilitate access to information and resources to decrease the negative consequences of early, unprotected, or forced sexual intercourse. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore the selected SHNs’ understanding and experiences of the implementation of the adolescents’ SRH programmes in a selected health district in KwaZulu Natal. Methodology: This study adopted a qualitative approach utilizing a descriptive and exploratory research design. Non-probability purposive sampling was employed to select participants and a semi-structured interviews guided collect data. A total of seven school health nurses participated in the study. Data was analysed using descriptive content analysis. Findings: The study findings revealed the five major themes which were consistent with the objectives of the study. The SHNs demonstrated a much understanding of adolescents’ SHR programmes and had both positive and negative experiences on the implementation of the programme. Most of the SHNs acknowledged that they were inadequately equipped with knowledge and skills to provide high-quality and comprehensive adolescents’ SRH programmes. In spite of the challenges faced by SHNs it was also found that there were some positive experiences that enabled them to continue with the implementation of the SRH programme to the adolescents. Conclusion: The SHNs had an understanding of what the program entails as well as their role in its implementation. The SHNs had limited resource but did their best to implementing the programmes. However, it is necessary that the SHNs are equipped with the necessary skills and teaching resources to increase their effectiveness in the implementing of adolescents’ sexual and reproductive programme.
An exploration of the learners’ perceptions, awareness and satisfaction regarding the implementation of Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) in selected secondary schools in uMgungundlovu district, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2017) Khoza, Thabisile Rebecca.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
When learners are subject to adverse health risks, school attendance and academic performance are correspondingly affected. This phenomenon is a nationally and internationally recognized problem considering healthy youth productive to members of the society. The Department of Health (DoH) has introduced a re-engineering program for primary health care of which school health programs are one of three main areas of the primary health care services focusing on, but not limited to immunization, teenage pregnancy education about Human Immune Deficiency Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV/AIDs), and screening for health problem such as poor eyesight and hearing impairment. In 2012, the new Integrated School Health Program (ISHP) was piloted in very poor schools in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo. This study examines the learners’ perceptions, awareness and satisfactions regarding the implementation of the ISHP services in uMgungundlovu, District, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive design was used in this study to collect data from the four selected secondary schools to reach the following objectives: To determine the extent to which the ISHP is reaching people it is intended to effect; to describe learners’ perception regarding the implementation of ISHP; and to determine the learners’ level of satisfaction with the implementation of ISHP. The total population of the study was expected to be 300 respondents from age 13-16 years which was calculated using a sample size calculator. The sample was 75 learners according to the percentages of the population in secondary schools and the grades of the study of the respondents. However, only 269 learners agreed to participate which left the response rate at 80.4 percent. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire after obtaining ethical clearance from the University and were analysed descriptively. The findings revealed that participants perceived that school health nurses who are coming to visit the school once in 6 months only 20.1 percent had never seen school health nurses in the schools, 16.4 percent were learners and 4.1 percent were learners saying school health nurses visit weekly. According to the ISHP, oral health 35.3 percent were offered in their schools ,vision 27.1 percent ,immunization 19.7 percent, TB screen 17.1 percent and anaemia 4.1percent. This indicated that learners in rural areas were likely to receive oral care, hearing care, speech care and TB screening. Awareness about ISHP services offered in their schools as “know your body” revealed 48.7 percent of learners showed that they know about these services. HIV/AIDs 26.0 percent, medical male circumcision 22.3 percent, sexual reproductive 30.5 percent, and learner referral 14.9 percent. Learners were not sure about learners’ health problems, physically and emotional challenges educators are not equipped to deal with or do not have sufficient time to manage. It was found that 61 percent had a high perception, 31.5 percent, had a medium perception and 7.4 percent had a low perception about ISHP implementation in the school. It was concluded that the implementation of the programme is not consistent with the objectives of the School Health Policy (ISHP, 2012). Due to lack of infrastructure and shortages of nurses, the ISHP did not cover all schools. These findings were not expected and they came as a surprise to the researcher. Conclusion made from the research findings, contributed to recommendation for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research to enhance the quality of life of learners of ages between 13 to 16 years through comprehensive school health services. Key Words: ISHP, Learner, secondary schools, perception.
Exploring perceptions of clients with regards to National Health Insurance services in a selected public hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
(2015) Omari, Minael Nathanael.; Mthembu, Nozipho Nokwazi Henrietta.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
Background: The National Health Insurance (NHI) of Tanzania is commonly known as the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The scheme operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) together with an independent board of the NHIF. It is a mandatory form of healthcare financing primarily for public servants and other categories of employees in the formal sector which covers hospital costs for the principal member and six beneficiaries of any age. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of clients with regards to National Health Insurance Services in a selected public hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methodology: Guided by objectivism, this study adopted a positivist paradigm and a quantitative approach. A non-experimental, exploratory-descriptive and cross sectional research design was used and a self-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Ethics Committee and the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (HSSREC) in South Africa, and from the Kinondoni District Hospital Research Ethics Committee in Tanzania. Results: The results of this study indicated that 64.8% of participants were the principle members of the NHIF and the majority (63.1%) were female. While joining the fund would have been compulsory for the 54.9% of the participants who were civil servants and 15.6% who were traders or business people, the majority (90.1%) of all the participants indicated that they had joined the scheme because it offered financial protection against illness. The majority of participants acknowledged the benefits of being a member of NHI, with 93.5% agreeing that joining the scheme benefited them and their beneficiaries, 93.4% agreeing that it gave them reassurance that their family would receive care, 89.3% agreeing that it provided easy access to health care, 83.6% agreeing that it would save money from paying hospital bills and 82.8% agreeing that belonging to NHI was better than having to make out-of-pocket payments. Recommendations: Despite their positive attitude towards the NHI services, participants admitted that NHI does not permit health care access to all citizens and that, even with the cover of the NHIF, they still needed to save money to pay for hospital care. Therefore, the study recommends the expansion of the NHIF benefits packages up to the Primary Health Care level to avoid user fee for the insured. Similarly, the NHIF management must find another mechanism of funding the Community Health Fund to provide coverage for the poor rural communities who depend only on out-of-pocket payments. Further research is also recommended to explore the perceptions of the majority of Tanzanians who are not covered by the NHIF schemes.
Exploring the nursing students' utilization of family planning methods in a selected nursing education institution in Umgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2010) Vinkhumbo, Gugu Aretha.; Bhengu, Busisiwe Rosemary.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
AIM. The aim of this study was to describe the utilization of family planning methods by the nursing students in the selected nursing education institution. METHODOLOGY. A non-experimental descriptive survey design with a quantitative approach was used to describe the utilization of family planning methods by the nursing students. For the study, the quota sampling technique where 106 nursing students were selected. A self-developed questionnaire based on a conceptual framework, study objectives, and existing questionnaires was used as a data collection instrument. FINDINGS. The results yielded by the study showed that 63.9% (n = 62) used family planning methods before coming to college which was the majority of the respondents. Of the total number of participants, 35.1% (n = 34) who never used family planning methods before were still not using any method. The majority of students using family planning methods perceive this as beneficial. The perceived self-efficacy by the users is also high. A recommendation for future practice is that there should be health information available to students during orientation. The name used for these services may also need to be looked at. The qualitative study on the topic may yield different or similar results.
Exploring women's experiences and perceptions on the use of implanon as a contraceptive method in a selected primary health care facility in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017) Mgobhozi, Lucky Nhlanhla.; Mbeje, Pretty Ntombithini.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
It has been argued that a large numbers of maternal deaths could be averted by the use of family planning; particularly long-acting methods, which are more advantageous, because these require fewer visits to health care facilities, are highly effective and cheap. Implanon is one of the many such contraceptives that have been introduced. The South African department of health recently introduced subdermal Implanon contraceptive implant with the aim to reduce teenage pregnancy and maternal mortality. Launched in 2013, the Implanon contraceptive was distributed to all public healthcare facilities across the country by early-2014, and effectively implemented nationally in all family planning and reproductive health clinics. The targets of Implanon were to every women meeting eligibility criteria living in both rural and urban areas. However, there have been a high number of complaints and issues arising with Implanon informally. It is imperative to understand the experiences and perceptions by the women using Implanon in order to adjust treatment implementation accordingly. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of women using Implanon at a selected primary health care clinic in Kwazulu-Natal, in order to develop a relevant intervention tool for the user that might assist the healthcare provider in service provision. This study targeted Implanon® users and employed the exploratory descriptive design using both qualitative and quantitative approach. In the quantitative approach, data was collected from 55 respondents who completed questionnaires, while in a qualitative approach seven participants were interviewed. Convenience sampling technique was used in the study. The study used close-ended questionnaires in the quantitative research, and open-ended questions were used for qualitative research as an instrument. The study setting selected a primary healthcare facility in KwaZulu-Natal. The findings of this study varying perceptions regarding Implanon®. While just more than half of respondents, 58.1%, were still satisfied with using the implant, 40.9% have discontinued using the implant, due to major side effects. Similarly, with regards to experiences of participants, while some participants were still willing to continue using this method of contraception, some reported experiencing major unwanted side effects, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, and low sex drive, which resulted in them stopping the use of Implanon. There was an identified need for clear screening tool for use by healthcare workers when initiating Implanon. The study therefore developed this tool to minimise unwanted side effects.
Knowledge and perceptions of the dangers of substance abuse among affected youth attending St. John of God Community Services, Malawi.
(2005) Chirambo, Griphin Baxter Njeresa.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
Substance abuse is a major problem amongst the youth worldwide. The goal of this study was to explore the knowledge and perceptions on the dangers of substance abuse among the affected youth attending St John of God Community Services, in Mzuzu, Malawi. The participants in the study were selected on the basis that they had been diagnosed as having a substance induced psychotic disorder and are currently receiving treatment from the hospital either as hospitalised or as outpatients. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research designs. The purposive sampling method was used to identify the quantitative sample while the qualitative sample was selected by using the theoretical sampling method. Forty-five participants completed the questionnaire to provide the quantitative data and 7 participants were interviewed to provide the qualitative data. The quantitative data was analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the results were presented in tables and graphs. The qualitative data was analysed manually and the results were presented by using the participants' direct quotes. The findings of the study revealed that lack of knowledge and perceptions of the dangers of substance abuse are not the only contributing fac tors to substance abuse amongst the youth. As the results showed, that the youth had vast knowledge on the dangers of substance abuse and they also perceived these dangers negatively. However, it was found that other factors such as the enjoyment aspect and unemployment influenced the youth to start abusing substances.
The lived experiences of youths who have lost a parent to AIDS in Wannune, Nigeria : a descriptive phenomenological study.
(2014) Tosin, Popoola.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
Although the advent of the antiretroviral therapy is changing the morbidity and mortality of HIV and AIDS epidemic into a chronic manageable disease; it is still the leading cause of death among age group 15-59 years who are in their productive and reproductive years. The HIV and AIDS epidemic has therefore orphaned over 17 million young people worldwide but 90 percent of these orphans are residents of Sub Saharan Africa. This study explores and describes the lived experiences of youths who have lost a parent to AIDS in Wannune, Nigeria. Only AIDS orphans below the age of 18 years are eligible for support from governmental and non-governmental organizations in Nigeria. This study is focused on the unsupported AIDS orphaned youths between the ages of 18-24 years. Descriptive phenomenology informed the study design, data collection and analysis of data. Purposive and snowballing sampling was used to obtain a sample of six youths who have lost parents to AIDS related illnesses and who were unaffiliated to any support organizations in Wannune. Each participant was interviewed twice using a pre-prepared interview guide that comprised of open ended questions. The second interview served as a closure and debriefing interviews. The data was analysed using Colaizzi‟s (1978) method of phenomenological data analysis and this methodology facilitated the emergence of themes from the data. Six themes and 13 subthemes emerged from the study and these were grouped under the two objectives of the study. An exploration of the lived experience of youths who have lost parents to AIDS in Wannune demonstrated that participants encounter with AIDS virus started before the actual loss of the parents. The experience of the participants progressed in the following chronological order of experience: disruptive life changes before and after parental AIDS loss; secondary losses such as loss of educational opportunities; premature assumption of parenting roles; exposure to vulnerability and continued grief. The study identified that the participants demonstrated many needs for parenting skills, empowerment, coping skills and need for psychosocial support. This study builds on the existing body of knowledge and demonstrates that the negative adverse effect of AIDS-orphanhood does not abate after orphans become young adults at 18 years. The study concludes with a number of recommendations in relation to policy making and future research.
Short term outcomes of an HIV and AIDS medical education partnership initiative (MEPI) clinical programme for nursing students in a selected site : a descriptive evaluation study.
(2015) Ngcobo, Silingene Joyce.; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness.
Background HIV/AIDS education and training in nursing generally has been inadequate and has not been formalised. As a result, it places nurses in a challenging situation when they have to nurse HIV/AIDS infected individuals in their care, because they often have knowledge deficit. Medical Partnership Education Initiative (MEPI) has innovated strategies to combat such lack and deficit in HIV knowledge for undergraduate nursing students. Objectives The objective of the study was to describe the demographic profile of the MEPI HIV and AIDS clinical programme recipients, as well as to describe the short term outcomes of the programme and participants’ perception of the HIV and AIDS clinical programme as presented through MEPI programme. Methods A quantitative approach was employed for this evaluation study using an adapted research instrument from the University of Wisconsin-Extension called G3658-11Collecting Evaluation data: End-of-Session Questionnaires. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze data, using descriptive statistics and open ended questions were subjected to content analyses and themes were formulated. Results The population size was N=133, and the majority of the programme recipients’ were African (n=109; 81.9 per cent), females (n=110; 82.7 per cent), from South Africa (n=127, 95.5 per cent). The age of participants ranged between a minimum of 17 years (n=1, 0.8 per cent) to a maximum of 45 years (n=1, 0.8 per cent) and an average age was 22 years (n=37, 27.8 per cent). Participants were either in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study, with 1 to 3 years of exposure to the programme. The majority (n=116; 87.5 per cent) of nursing students across all study levels gained theoretical HIV and AIDS knowledge, in topics such as HIV transmission, HIV diagnosis (n=109; 82.5 per cent), HIV prevention strategies (n=118; 88.4 per cent), stages of HIV and Stage monitoring (n=106; 80 per cent), (n=118; 88.7 per cent) are knowledgeable on pre and post HIV counselling. (n=125, 93.7 per cent) of students gained HIV related skills competency including conducting a rapid HIV test, and (n=111, 83.1 per cent) could interpret and issue such results accurately. Furthermore (n=99; 74.2 per cent) of the students reported changes in attitudes and beliefs as a results of attending the programme, yet (n=34; 25.8 per cent) reported no changes. Students possessed conflicting attitudes towards HIV and AIDS. They reported positive attitudes towards people living with HIV and AIDS (n=126; 95 per cent) yet grossly negative attitudes were also reported especially when in reference to HIV/AIDS was removed from the health care setting. Recommendations HIV and AIDS content to be increased in all levels within the undergraduate curriculum so that nursing students may graduate with core HIVand AIDS clinical. Nurse educators also need to receive HIV and AIDS education in order to allow transfer of knowledge from them to students. Conclusion Nursing students from have benefited momentously from the MEPI HIV and AIDS clinical programme activities and has contributed to the nursing students’ academic, professional and personal development. The need to include and expand the HIV and AIDS content within the nursing curriculum is vital as this evaluation study findings suggests.